Kim’s sis to US: Quit exercising
NK ‘firing range’ threat
Kim Jong-un’s sister warned the US that unless it stops conducting military exercises with its allies in the region, North Korea will turn the Pacific Ocean into its “firing range.”
Kim Yo-jong issued the stark threat Monday as North Korea launched two more ballistic missiles off its east coast — just two days after firing a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile into the sea off Japan’s west coast.
The ICBM test prompted the US to hold joint air exercises with South Korea and separately with Japan on Sunday.
“The frequency of using the Pacific as our firing range depends upon the US forces’ action character,” the North Korean leader’s sister said in a statement carried by the state news outlet KCNA. “We are well aware of the movement of US forces’ strategic strike means recently getting brisk around the Korean Peninsula.”
She didn’t elaborate but was likely referring to the US flyover of B-1B long-range, supersonic bombers during Sunday’s trainings with South Korea and Japan.
North Korea typically responds to US B-1B flights, which can carry a huge payload of conventional weapons, with aggressive statements or military demonstrations of its own.
Kim Yo-jong also criticized some South Korean experts who questioned the reliability of North Korea’s ICBMs, calling them “disgusting” and “stupid.”
The launch — the country’s first since Jan. 1 — took place “at the most appropriate time” considering weather conditions and after US and South Korean scout planes went away, she said.
“They had better rack their brains to take measures to defend themselves, instead of doubting or worrying about other’s technology,” Kim Yo Jong said. “We affirm once again that there is no change in our will to make the worst maniacs escalating the tensions pay the price for their action.”
Analysts said the warning about the Pacific being a North Korean firing range from leader Kim’s sister could signal plans to fire more missiles farther, possibly in the direction of the US territory of Guam.